- Amazon Future Engineer bursary scheme expands to offer financial support to 31 women students studying computer science and related engineering courses at UK universities, more than double the number awarded in 2021
The Royal Academy of Engineering and Amazon have announced the 2022 recipients of Amazon Future Engineer bursaries to study computer science and related engineering courses at UK universities.
The awards, which provide a support package of up to £20,000, have been granted to women students from low-income households who demonstrate a drive and passion for computing and engineering, and an understanding of how innovation and creativity in these fields can help solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. View the full list of recipients on the Royal Academy of Engineering website (and below).
The Amazon Future Engineer bursaries aim to help address underrepresentation and accelerate the rate of progress – women are significantly underrepresented in engineering and technology in higher education. UCAS data on university application and acceptance figures for the 2021 cycle highlighted that women represent just 16% and 18% of accepted applications to computer science and engineering degrees respectively. At the current rate of progress, parity of women in engineering degrees will still not be achieved until 2085.
This year, 31 bursaries have been awarded – more than double the number awarded in 2021 when the scheme launched – to students progressing from A Level, Scottish Highers or technical education courses to university education in the 2022/23 academic year.
Dr Rhys Morgan, Director of Engineering and Education at the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “The ideas put forward by this year’s awardees in their applications amply illustrate the ingenuity and creative talent that exists among women who are underrepresented in engineering. The Academy and Amazon have a shared goal of increasing diversity within the profession, and we will continue to seek out talented individuals like these to help ensure that our community is more representative of the society it serves.”
Lauren Kisser, Technology Director at Amazon UK and Ambassador for Amazon Future Engineer: “If we want to continue innovating and inventing on behalf of all customers, then a diverse and representative workforce is absolutely essential. We’re delighted to expand the Amazon Future Engineer bursary scheme to 31 fantastic women students and we hope they go on to achieve great things as our innovators of the future.”
Manpreet Bahtra, who is studying Computer Science at the University of Warwick, is one of this year’s bursary recipients. Originally from Afghanistan, Manpreet was 11 when she came to the UK with her parents and two brothers, claiming refugee status in 2018: “I came to the UK with no formal schooling, so I had to work really hard to catch up with my peers, all while learning English too. My earliest experiences of computing were through Scratch and Raspberry Pi, and my passion for computing grew organically from there.” About being awarded the bursary, she added: “I was so overwhelmed because it means so much to me. I am so grateful for the opportunity as it provides real relief. I don’t need to worry about working part-time and falling behind my peers. I have the means to support my living costs and all the necessary equipment for my studies.”
Fellow bursary recipient, Hannah McCormick, studying Computer Science at the University of Aberdeen, said: “I really enjoy programming. Problem solving is quite fun especially the moment when you find a solution. I would love to work in cyber forensics or make disability aids. I was a young carer and looked after my parents and two siblings before I came to university, so I saw how beneficial that work can be.” Hannah applied for the Amazon Future Engineer Bursary after her teacher shared a link with her once exams were over. “It’s the first bursary I’ve been successful at applying for, and we celebrated on results night with a dinner. The networking opportunities that come with it will really help me start to plan my career.”
Alongside the monetary award, awardees will gain exclusive access to networking groups to meet positive role models from Amazon and the Royal Academy of Engineering, interact with like-minded peers, build long-term relationships, and benefit from collaboration opportunities.
Images and short profiles of some of the awardees can be found on the awardees page.
Notes for editors
The Amazon Future Engineer bursary awardees 2022/2023 are:
- Roaa Abdelmagid, Computer Science with Industrial Experience, University of Manchester
- Kelena Mafina Assan Kojo, Engineering, Lancaster University
- Manpreet Kaur Bahtra, Computer Science, University of Warwick
- Amelia Beukes, Games Computing, University of Lincoln
- Chloe Birkwood, Computer Science, University of Leicester
- Aurelia Brzezowska, Computer Science, Staffordshire University
- Minal Cheema, Software Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University
- Diana Ciceu, Computer Science, University of Westminster
- Lily Compton, Computer Science, University of St. Andrews
- Mya Dhaliwal, Computer Science, Manchester Metropolitan University
- Chloe-Omoyi Dos Santos, Computer Science, Loughborough University
- Beatriz Gavina, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham
- Clare Hamilton, Computer Science Professional Experience, The Queen's University of Belfast
- Asiah Hussein, Computer Science, Birmingham City University
- Nusaybah Hussein, Computer Science and Mathematics with Industrial Experience, Queen Mary University of London
- Manpreet Kaur, Software Engineering, University of Leicester
- Fiona Kissi, Computer Science, Loughborough University
- Aneesah Khan, Computer Science, University of Cambridge
- Jamilla Kone, Computer Science, The University of Edinburgh
- Ilenia Maietta, Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London
- Hannah McCormick, Computer Science, University of Aberdeen
- Farheen Mehmood, Computer Science, Newcastle University
- Deborah Moses Alabi, Computer Science, Nottingham Trent University
- Hanaan Mukhtar, Computer Science, Kingston University London
- Nazma Mulla, Computing Science, University of Glasgow
- Oyin Onaloye, Computer Science, University of Northampton
- Lenka Senešiová, Computing Science, University of Aberdeen
- Sophie Stone, Computer Science with year in industry, University of Nottingham
- Namood Tahir, Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of Nottingham
- Alex Wright, Computing and Information Technology, Northumbria University Newcastle
- Amazon Future Engineer bursary scheme is part of Amazon Future Engineer, Amazon’s comprehensive childhood-to-career programme to inspire, educate and enable children and young adults from lower-income backgrounds to try computer science and related engineering courses. The bursaries are open to students enrolling onto courses such as electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence and software engineering in the UK. The bursaries will focus on areas of the UK that have been identified as social mobility cold spots—places in the country where opportunities and outcomes for young people need improving.
- UCAS data on university application and acceptance figures for the 2021 cycle published on ucas.com, accessed 3 November 2022: UCAS Undergraduate sector-level end of cycle data resources 2021 – https://www.ucas.com/data-and-analysis/undergraduate-statistics-and-reports/ucas-undergraduate-sector-level-end-cycle-data-resources-2021
- As part of Amazon’s commitment to developing the next generation of engineers and computer scientists, Amazon are also supporting a number of Royal Academy of Engineering initiatives, including the national Connecting STEM Teachers programme; a support network for teachers across all STEM subjects that ensures they have the knowledge and confidence to engage a greater number and wider spectrum of school students with STEM. The programme works with 1,000 schools and operates across all regions of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Amazon also support This is Engineering, a campaign that brings engineering to life for young people, giving more of them the opportunity to pursue a career that is rewarding, future-shaping, varied, well-paid and in-demand.
- Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalised recommendations, Prime, Fulfilment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit aboutamazon.co.uk and follow @AmazonNewsUK
- About Amazon in the Community: Amazon has long been committed to communities where our employees live and work and we focus on building long-term, innovative, and high impact programmes that leverage Amazon’s unique assets and culture. We want all children and young adults to have the resources and skills to build their best future. We concentrate on “right now needs” – via programmes that address hunger, homelessness, and disaster relief efforts – as well as programmes like Amazon Future Engineer, designed to inspire and excite children and young adults from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in the rapidly growing field of computer science.
- The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
Media enquiries to Pippa Cox at the Royal Academy of Engineering: E: [email protected]; T: 020 7766 0645